Giving Compass' Take:

· Although a number of conversations have been centered around global warming, a large amount of people are unsure of how to take action. Juliette N. Rooney-Varga explains how a game called the World Climate Simulation can raise awareness around this issue and encourage climate action. 

· Why is it important for this issue to be addressed now? How can those who are not involved in philanthropy or activism take action on this issue? 

· Although we know a lot about climate change and how we can address it, FiveThirtyEight explains why we may choose not to take action.

The latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has been called a “deafening” alarm and an “ear-splitting wake-up call” about the need for sweeping climate action. But will one more scientific report move countries to dramatically cut emissions?

Evidence, so far, says no. Countless scientific studies have been published since the 1970s on the dangers of climate change, many offering similar projections. And social science research shows that showing people research doesn’t work. So, if more reports and information don’t spark action, what will?

In a recent study led by the University of Massachusetts Lowell Climate Change Initiative, we identified a promising approach: Playing a game called the World Climate Simulation, originally developed by the nonprofit organization Climate Interactive, in which participants play delegates at international climate change negotiations.

We examined how this experience affected more than 2,000 participants from nine countries, ranging from middle school students to CEOs. Across this diverse population, people who participated in World Climate deepened their understanding of climate change and became emotionally engaged in the issue. They came away believing that it was not too late for meaningful action. These emotional responses were linked to a stronger desire to learn and do more, from reducing their personal carbon footprints to taking political action.

Read the full article about encouraging climate action by Juliette N. Rooney-Varga at The Conversation.